The 7th district is based in north central California and includes eastern Sacramento County. Republican Dan Lungren, who represented the 3rd district from 2005 to 2013 and previously served from 1979 until 1989, lost reelection here to Democrat Ami Bera.

The 12th district is based in the Bay Area and includes most of San Francisco. House Democratic Leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represented the 8th district from 1993 to 2013 and previously represented the 5th district from 1987 until 1993, won reelection here.

The 15th district is based in the East Bay and includes Hayward and Livermore. Democrat Pete Stark, who represented the 13th district from 1993 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1973, lost reelection here to fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell.

The 16th district is based in the Central Valley and includes Fresno and Merced. Democrat Dennis Cardoza, who represented the 18th district from 2003 to 2013, retired.[7] Democrat Jim Costa, who represented the 20th district from 2005 to 2013, won reelection here.

The 23rd district is based in the southern Central Valley and includes parts of Bakersfield. House Majority Whip and Republican Kevin McCarthy, who represented the 22nd district from 2007 to 2013, won reelection here.

The 28th district is based in the northern Los Angeles suburbs and includes Burbank and Glendale as well as parts of central Los Angeles. Democrat Adam Schiff, who represented the 29th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 27th district from 2001 to 2003, won reelection here.

The 30th district is based in the western San Fernando Valley and includes Sherman Oaks. Democrat Brad Sherman, who represented the 27th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 24th district from 1997 to 2003, defeated fellow Democrat Howard Berman, who represented the 28th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 26th district from 1983 to 2003.

The 31st district is based in the Inland Empire and includes San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga. Republicans David Dreier, who represented the 26th district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1978, and Jerry Lewis, who represented the 41st district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1979, retired.[6][9] Republican Gary Miller, who represented the 42nd district from 2003 to 2013 and the 41st district from 1999 to 2003, won reelection here.

The 32nd district is based in the San Gabriel Valley and includes El Monte and West Covina. Republican David Dreier, who represented the 26th district from 2003 to 2013 and its predecessors since 1978, retired.[9] Democrat Grace Napolitano, who represented the 38th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 34th district from 1999 to 2003, won reelection here.

The 33rd district is based in coastal Los Angeles County and includes Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Democrat Henry Waxman, who represented the 30th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 24th and 29th districts from 1975 to 1993 and 1993 to 2003 respectively, won reelection here.

The 42nd district is based in the Inland Empire and includes Corona and Murrieta. Republican Ken Calvert, who represented the 44th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 43rd district from 1993 to 2003, won reelection here.

The 46th district is based in central Orange County and includes Anaheim and Santa Ana. Democrat Loretta Sanchez, who represented the 47th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 46th district from 1997 to 2003, won reelection here.

The 48th district is based in coastal Orange County and includes Huntington Beach. Republican Dana Rohrabacher, who represented the 46th district from 2003 to 2013 and the 42nd and 45th districts from 1989 to 1993 and 1993 to 2003 respectively, won reelection here.

The 49th district is based in northern San Diego County and includes Carlsbad and Oceanside. Republican Darrell Issa, who has represented the 49th district since 2003 and the 48th district from 2001 to 2003, won reelection here.

The new 51st district runs along the border with Mexico and includes Imperial County and San Diego. Democrat Bob Filner, who represented the 51st district from 2003 to 2013 and the 50th district from 1993 until 2003, retired to run for mayor of San Diego.[10] State Senator Juan Vargas was predicted to face fellow Democratic State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny in the general election, but he spent some of his funds on mailers to help Republican Michael Crimmins, who he preferred to face in the general election in this heavily Democratic seat. Vargas spent $40-50,000 helping Crimmins, at least eight times more than Crimmins spent himself.[11] The effort was successful as Crimmins finished 2,909 votes ahead of Ducheny. Vargas then won the general election in a landslide.

The 52nd district is based in coastal San Diego and includes La Jolla and Poway. Republican Brian Bilbray, who represented the 50th district from 2006 to 2013 and previously served from 1995 until 2001, lost reelection here to Democrat Scott Peters.

The 53rd district is based in Central San Diego and includes La Mesa and Lemon Grove. Democrat Susan Davis, who has represented the 53rd district since 2003 and previously represented the 49th district from 2001 to 2003, won reelection here.